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Citizens Volunteer to Assist Polk Deputies With Non-Emergency Calls

FIFTEEN PEOPLE attended a meeting Tuesday to learn about joining the Polk sheriff's volunteer patrol program.

PAUL CRATE | NEWS CHIEF

By ELVIA MALAGONTHE LEDGER

Published: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 12:00 a.m.

WINTER HAVEN | After a year of walking on patrol through his Poinciana neighborhood, Edwin Maldonado says he's ready for more responsibility.

Maldonado, 48, was one of 15 people who attended the third meeting for the Volunteer Sheriff's Service Officer Program. He is a member of Citizen's Assisted Patrol in his neighborhood.

"The one I'm doing now, we don't do much," he said. "I want to take it to another level."

Citizens chosen for the program will learn the proper way to respond to non-emergency calls like stranded motorists, property crimes without a suspect, checking on vacant houses or going to crashes that don't involve injuries.

The Polk Sheriff's Office has promoted the program as one way to keep costs down and provide relief to deputies.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the volunteers will help with the demand for service, which has increased by more than 12 percent in the last two years.

"We are turning to volunteers to assist us whenever it is reasonable," he said. "We'll never put a volunteer in harm's way."

In 2009, the Sheriff's Office received 286,761 calls for service compared with 324,007 calls in 2011. Residents placed 174,259 calls for service during the first six months of this year.

The volunteers won't start responding to non-emergency calls overnight. Deputy Allen Barber, who is leading the program, told the group of 15 prospective volunteers they must complete 120 hours of training, followed by 80 hours on the road with a training officer. And they must commit to volunteering at least 24 hours a month.

The training will include a crash course in criminal and civil law, how to collect evidence, write reports and testify in court.

David Fajardo, 21, said he was most excited about the training he will receive because it could give him an advantage when he enters the police academy. It's been his dream since childhood to become a deputy.

"I'm excited about the CPR training and learning the radio," he said.

Barber explained the volunteers will not have arresting powers and he warned them about things they cannot do.

The uniforms they will be issued shouldn't be worn outside of duties for the Service Officer Program, he said. "If you get caught, depending on what it's for, you could be charged with impersonating an officer," he said.

They will not be issued firearms and will not be allowed to carry personal weapons while on volunteer duty, Barber said.

<p>WINTER HAVEN | After a year of walking on patrol through his Poinciana neighborhood, Edwin Maldonado says he's ready for more responsibility.</p><p>Maldonado, 48, was one of 15 people who attended the third meeting for the Volunteer Sheriff's Service Officer Program. He is a member of Citizen's Assisted Patrol in his neighborhood.</p><p>"The one I'm doing now, we don't do much," he said. "I want to take it to another level."</p><p>Citizens chosen for the program will learn the proper way to respond to non-emergency calls like stranded motorists, property crimes without a suspect, checking on vacant houses or going to crashes that don't involve injuries.</p><p>The Polk Sheriff's Office has promoted the program as one way to keep costs down and provide relief to deputies.</p><p>Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the volunteers will help with the demand for service, which has increased by more than 12 percent in the last two years.</p><p>"We are turning to volunteers to assist us whenever it is reasonable," he said. "We'll never put a volunteer in harm's way."</p><p>In 2009, the Sheriff's Office received 286,761 calls for service compared with 324,007 calls in 2011. Residents placed 174,259 calls for service during the first six months of this year.</p><p>The volunteers won't start responding to non-emergency calls overnight. Deputy Allen Barber, who is leading the program, told the group of 15 prospective volunteers they must complete 120 hours of training, followed by 80 hours on the road with a training officer. And they must commit to volunteering at least 24 hours a month.</p><p>The training will include a crash course in criminal and civil law, how to collect evidence, write reports and testify in court.</p><p>David Fajardo, 21, said he was most excited about the training he will receive because it could give him an advantage when he enters the police academy. It's been his dream since childhood to become a deputy.</p><p>"I'm excited about the CPR training and learning the radio," he said.</p><p>Barber explained the volunteers will not have arresting powers and he warned them about things they cannot do.</p><p>The uniforms they will be issued shouldn't be worn outside of duties for the Service Officer Program, he said. "If you get caught, depending on what it's for, you could be charged with impersonating an officer," he said.</p><p>They will not be issued firearms and will not be allowed to carry personal weapons while on volunteer duty, Barber said.</p><p>Lakeland resident Reggie Johnson, 40, heard about the Volunteer Sheriff's Service Officer Program online.</p><p>"It's just something to get involved in to see how to play my part in keeping the community safe," Johnson said.</p><p>Twenty-five to 30 people have turned in applications for this year's program. The Sheriff's Office will hold additional information sessions next year.</p><p>For more information about the program, call Barber at 863-298-6687.</p>